#squish13

Squish13 is our second volunteer. The author of fourteen stories, many of which are set in the world of Fire Emblem, Squish13 has been a member of Fanfiction.Net for almost two years. Besides writing, Squish13 enjoys creating Let’s Plays to post on Youtube; her username there is HylianVoice.

Writing:

Is writing a passion or a hobby for you?

Passion! Most definitely! Been writing for years!

(If a passion) When and why did you decide to become an author?

I’d say I started sometime between elementary and middle school. So… ‘bout 9 years now. I’m always just brimming with ideas, and writing was my best way to express that to the world!

What is your writing schedule like now?

It’s horrid. Can’t even call it a “schedule”. I just write whenever, and with the added burden of let’s playing, it’s difficult to set a schedule for either.

What is your ideal writing schedule?

If I could, I’d write every day, but I’m not exactly the schedule type.

What inspires your writing?

(The blood of my enemies) ……. Just kidding! Just the thought that I can express my ideas to the world.

When did you write your first story (not specifically a fanfiction)?

Oh… it has to be around 7 years ago when I first started the draft of my first novel. Of course, I ended up adding something that ruined the draft, but I still consider even the first scribbles of ideas as contribution towards that story! (None of my original projects are close to completion though.)

How many fanfictions have you written? How many have you posted?

While 14 have been posted, I have a lot of little projects that I decided against posting. Silly things, but I still keep everything stored away on my computer or in notebooks.

Have you ever written a fanfiction per request? Would you like to?

Not yet, but I certainly admit, it would be nice to receive a fanfiction request.

Which one of your fanfictions seems to be your readers’ favorite?

My Dear Lucina … It’s… disturbing really… I’m actually quite scared. But I suppose there’s also Something More which has gotten quite popular with the Smash Bros community.

Which one of your fanfictions are you proudest of?

Last Hope. It was my first multichapter fanfiction, and though not complete yet, I consider it the measuring tool in how far my writing of fanfictions has progressed since it’s also planned to be the longest. I can look back on it, and chapter to chapter, see how I’ve improved.

Which one of your fanfictions is your favorite?

It used to be Last Hope. But then everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked! But in all seriousness, it’s gotta be FE: Advent now. I just really enjoy the idea of creating a story about the first exalt. Something much more mine than the other works. Creative Freedom!!!

Do you have a steady fanbase?

No. Totally not. A few readers for a few stories that are consistent, but mostly that’s a giant N-O. I don’t have a large reader-base in general :P

Are there any authors of fanfiction whose work you admire?

Can’t really think of anything. It’s not because I think I’m too good or anything stupid like that. It’s just that I’m actually not a big reader. Surprising, considering how much I like to write.

Let’s Plays:

Where do you post your Let’s Plays?

On YouTube, same as many other lpers. But I don’t do streams like a lot seem to do on places like Twitch or otherwise:P I’m not very social, we’ll say.

What is your channel name?

HylianVoice! Part Hylia for my love of the Zelda series, part “voice” for my love of doing voiceovers for all my own lps.

What inspired your interest in Let’s Plays?

Oh, that has to be sometime over some summer or whatever… Ah… we’ll say sometime in my sophomore year of high school. I was bored, and started seeing other peoples’ works. Eventually I was pretty much like: “hey, these people do video game playthroughs with commentary. That seems fun, I think I’ll start up a channel.”

How do you create your videos?

Record? Edit? Well, I used to record with a camcorder, but with a donation from some friends, eventually got a capture card. It’s low-end, but certainly better than using a camera. After I got the capture card, I had to find a mic to get my commentary. Computer mics suck, but I eventually got a studio-quality mic after a while thanks to the family. As far as editing goes, I use Sony Vegas Movie Studio. Yes, I could probably get something better, but this is a fun hobby, and I don’t have the funds to afford expensive equipment, though I do love it to death.

Have you ever edited scenes or dialogue out of your Let’s Plays?

I cut a lot of material if I fail so completely much, I need to cut things away for time.

Do you keep this rejected footage?

No, I don’t really keep any scrapped files. I only got an external hard drive for my videos, recently, but even then, I don’t keep the raw files. They take up too much space.

How much “blooper” material do you have at this moment?

If I have any sort of blooper material, I edit it into the episode itself. I refer to you, Kid Icarus NES videos!

Are your Let’s Plays more for entertainment or for instruction?

Both? I suppose? I try to be as entertaining as possible, but also informative and helping to explain certain mechanics or whatnot whenever they make a first appearance.

Which game was your first Let’s Play based upon? Why did you choose this game?

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. Oh, it was my favorite Zelda title at the time I started my channel up. Still is. I love it so much. But I know it well, and can play it well, so I thought it would be a good place to start.

Looking back, what do you think of your first Let’s Play?

Well I was awkward and some of my commentary seemed forced. But hey, I still think the old thing was quite charming. I enjoy it, and at 100%, even with how awkward I could be, it still was a good series.

Which series of Let’s Plays is your favorite?

Gosh… how do I choose that? Might be the ATLA (Avatar: The Last Airbender) game. Gives me a chance to nerd out even though the game itself is quite bad.

If someone were interested in your Avatar: The Last Airbender Let’s Play, what would you say in order to convince them to watch it?

I wouldn’t have to say anything. I’d just have to hold out a fishing line with Aang on the end and dangle it in front of them till they follow me to the videos. In all seriousness though, it’s one of my few series which is a top search result on YT, so all they’d have to do is type in “Avatar the Last Airbender game” and it’d probably be there on the first page. What am I saying probably for? It is! (Though it has been losing viewers since that “big name” guy posted his lp of it :P )

Would you say you have a steady fanbase for your Let’s Plays?

Not at all. But I am very active in engaging the fans.

Fire Emblem

How many games have you played in this series?

Hmm… I’ve played all but Gaiden, Sacred Stones, and Shadow Dragon, so… that would be 10?

Which is your favorite game and why?

My favorite game is Awakening. I appreciate the arcing plot, and delving into its intricacies. And I won’t lie, I’m quite attached to the characters, more than those of other games.

Which is your least favorite game and why?

Whichever 6 was… I’m bad at remembering the names of 6 and 7. It was imbalanced and the plot wasn’t all too great compared to other FE games. Still can’t say I hate it though. Just don’t like it as much as the others.

Speaking about your favorite game, which unit is your strongest?

That would have to be Lucina. I get really invested in training her, especially with an MU mother and access to nearly all the classes, thus skills.

Which unit is your weakest?

Donnel. I know people love him, but I can’t bring myself around to training the poor guy.

Which character(s) are you sure to lose?

None, because I reset! In all honesty though, Maribelle dies a lot. Yeah, my secondary healers usually are prone to… dying…

Which character is your favorite?

I won’t lie, Lucina (even though I have a habit of killing her in my fics)

Which character do you dislike?

Tharja. Whatever her body type, she’s still a stalker, and I’ve had friends with problems with that, so I just can’t stand it.

Summarize the plot; in your opinion, what are the good points and bad points of the game?

Dragon wrecks world, girl travels back in time to prevent it, evil plotting spanning a few arcs, final showdown, bittersweet victory. The game has loveable characters and has brought in many newcomers to the series. On the flipside, its map design is kinda bad, and people who don’t like dissecting plots might not like the story (though I do).

Speaking generally about all the games you have played:

Fire Emblem games have a wide range of difficulty levels; which of these levels have you successfully completed?

Usually the “hard” difficulties of each of the games if they’re available. Obviously can’t do that with the older games though they are kinda difficult on their own. I do avoid pseudo-difficulties though, such as RD’s “hard” and Awakening’s “Lunatic+”

Please explain your greatest Fire Emblem moment.

I’ll go the opposite here and talk about Sigurd missing a calculated 100% chance to hit. It was certainly the most memorable for sure…

Is there a class in Fire Emblem which you never seemto use? Is there a reason for this?

Armor knights. I don’t like their low resistance, and on top of that, I can never get them up to the frontlines where they need to be because of their abysmal movement.

Please name your favorite skillset.

How do I choose that?!?!

Would you like to name your favorite Fire Emblem pairings?

Sigurd/Deirdre, Eliwood/Ninian, Chrom/Robin, Marth/Kris. They’re all adorable dorks together and I love it. (I know Marth is engaged to Shiida, but screw it!)

If you could create your ideal army of twelve units, spanning all of your files, which soldiers would you choose?

Julia, Ares, Lief(FE4), Nephenee, Heather, Ferry, Morgan (Marc, whatever), Raquesis, Norne, Ogma, Tiki, Lucina (b/c we need a lord, right?)

Who would you challenge first with this army?

I dunno… Medeus? Not the derpy FE3 version though.

Personal Questions

What is your favorite…

Food?

Um… Let’s see… I like a bunch of kinds of bleu cheese (even though I’m mildly allergic), and crab. Can’t stand lobster though, but personal taste.

Music?

I don’t really listen to much music. I suppose I only ever really listen to video game music, otherwise just whatever’s on the radio.

Clothes?

Whatever’s lying around? That, or my pajamas. Even if I have to go out in them.

Color?

Blue! No, purple… how to decide… The royal shades of them though.

Day?

Saturday, duh. Unless there’s an event I need to go to, it’s a day you can sleep in, but also stay up late. A lazy day.

Person?

Myself. I know that sounds kinda egotistical, but I swear it’s not like that. Do I look up to other people? Yes. But there’s no arguing that I value my own well-being and don’t want to pretend to be someone I’m not.

Animal?

Sharkies! Yes, sharks. They’re such fascinating creatures, majestic, powerful, smart, what’s not to love about them?

Do you have any pets?

Yup! 2 dogs and a cat. I like the cat more though. A lot less maintenance that one. Plus, the cat can sleep by my feet and not push me off the bed like the dogs might.

If so, have they ever inspired your writing?

Certainly! I do remember a certain fanfiction in which I gave one of the characters a brand new animal companion that they had to get used to.

What was your favorite subject in school?

Science, I love learning about the world and how it works. Science sates my curiosity for such things.

This question is essential for all aspiring writers: Who is your favorite author, and did they pen your favorite book? What is your favorite book?

My favorite author… Definitely Tolkien, and yes, the Lord of the Rings series/ The Hobbit are my favorite books.

Do you have a LEAST favorite book?

I’m not saying this to be mainstream, I’m really not. But it has to be Twilight . It was so poorly written. I mean, how long do you need to take to describe a TRUCK?

Do you enjoy watching…

Television?

Well, my cable box broke, so not since I was a kid, really. So no, I don’t really watch television.

Sitcoms?

Nope.

Dramas?

Nah.

Movies?

Yes, yes, YES!! I love movies, and heck, I did change my major to follow film. My favorite movie though is definitely The Princess Bride .

Anime?

… Yes. Haven’t really gotten into it until recently, and even then I’m selective. There’s Death Note which I found amazing. But my absolute favorite would have to be Another . Gosh, it’s so beautifully animated, quite grim and very graphic, but for a mystery-horror, it pulls off the mystery very well. Seriously, I did NOT see that ending coming. So good.

What kind of games do you play?

Video games: Ooh. Well, strategy games for sure. Both computer and console, they don’t always have to have [an] amazing story, so long as the mechanics pull me in. Then there’s open-world adventure games. I could spend hours (and do) just running around doing side-quests.

Board games: Ha! Board games! Who doesn’t play them? Life is my favorite though. (Even though I always end up with a car overflowing with kids by the end of it though.)

Card games: Serious card games or what? I certainly take pleasure in CAH, but what sane adult doesn’t? Otherwise, I do enjoy more classic card games I can play in groups. I never actually bet, but the ones I enjoy most are games that are commonly bet with. Black Jack, Texas Hold-em, stuff like that.

Do you have a favorite sport, either one you watch on TV or play personally?

Oh my favorite sport would be hockey, for sure. Ice or field, it doesn’t really matter to me. Of course I play the latter, but I do play both indoor and outdoor league.

If there is one thing you can not stand in your writing or anyone else’s, what is it?

People mixing up homophones. Gosh… people using sow instead of so or sew, too instead of two or to… I can’t stand it really, it makes understanding their writing difficult…

If you were invited to the Shire for a weekend, how would you spend that time?

Tea. There must be tea. What else would there be?

And finally: Will you accept any follow-up questions from readers?